Coco Corner Cabinet (Before & After)

Sometimes furniture isn't just a piece of wood and some hardware.  Often times a piece of furniture is so much more than that - it may be the turn of a leg, beautiful molding, a great crystal knob or a gorgeous patina from years of age.  My favorite pieces of furniture are ones that have a story.  Ones that I grew up enjoying in our homes when I was little.  I still have a cabinet in the kitchen that my mom stored all my school papers.  I treasure a console table that was handmade and passed onto my mom.  Finally, I couldn't give up the bedroom set that I had since I was two and is now John's.  I transformed it with the Union Flag and still need to work on his nightstand.

Anyway, when a friend told me about this corner cabinet that she wanted help with I was happy to oblige.   It was the only piece of furniture she has from her childhood home and while it may not be expensive it is priceless (holding so many memories of the past).

Before

Over several moves and the passage of time, the little corner cabinet needed some TLC.

Before 

 I first washed the furniture down with mineral spirits, denatured alcohol and then warm water.  Luke removed the hook and eye and patched several holes.  Knots were shining through which I spot primed with zinser and then I started painting with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Coco.  I had never used Coco before - it is a warm gray brown - but have to tell you I love it.  I ended up doing three coats on the whole piece.  Then Louis Blue was done behind the shelves and on all the detailing.  I just love the color combination of the blue and the brown!  Then light distressing and two coats of clear wax.  Here is the updated corner cabinet:

After

Some close up photos:

The shelf:

I love this delicate curve:

My friend also got this sweet little glass knob at Anthropolgie to replace the brass one:

What do you think?  Do you have any pieces of furniture from your childhood that you treasure?  If so, I'd love to hear about them.

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